Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-10


violent feeling-the expression of passion
| ate joy With the girl it was the effort Of a
viii stirred by pique. Wealthy, titled, adj
mired, alrdys accustomed to easy conques!
| and Hattery, she was, from the first, an
I noyed by the lack of interest which this
| stranger displayed It was something new
to her. Conquest had begotten in her the
| love of conquest. ALI men paid homage to
her. She expected and liked their fattery,
and yet, despised them for it. She had now
to deal with a strange and mysterious type
of character. This man not only failed to
admire her but, also, was scarcely civil.
Her attention was Immediately attracted
and her love of conquest aroused. She de-
termined to conquer; but in endeavoring tc
interest, she, herself, became interested,
! and, recognizing the fact, grew angry with
herself for this weakness. She was an
noyed with herself, because of the little
pang awakened at the effect of Natalie's ap-
pearance upon Fairfax. She tried tSlaugh
her uncomfortable feeling away, but in
vain.
At last, she determined to find out why
Fairfax had become so embarrassed by
Natalie's presence. Now that the latter had
| gone, Lydia's cavalier was himself again.
She had no rival. He was hers-at least,
for the time being, and she resolved to
| make the most of her opportunity
Always an admirable dancer, she put
| forth extraordinary efforts to Guido herself.
With Fairfax, all was unconscious abandon
| ment to the moment. His spirits infected
hers. The music was ravishing In a
dream they seemed to float around the ROOM
| Passing by one of the windows, he dexter
ously guided her toward it, and, arm in
| arm, by tacit consent, they passed out, on
| to the balcony.
Fountains played softly around them in
the moonlight The delicate, subtle per-
fume of flowers was waited by, on the
balmy air. The music, softened by dis
lance, was a breath of poesy and tender
ness, while the glorious moonlight glittered
and shimmered through the patterlng leaves
overhead.
This was her opportunity. But it was
his, too. Her will was no longer predomi-
nant She was half in love with, and most
decidedly interested in, this original, strang
fellow. She could not decipher him; vet
knew that he was worthier, better and far
more to be respected than the society tops
who had hitherto surrounded her.
On the other hand, he simply admired this
magnificent creature. That was all. He
had cold bloodedly formed plan. That plan
required the assistance of the Lady Lydia.
He was himself again; self-possessed,
knowing what he wanted, what were the
best methods by which to obtain it; and,
above all, thoroughly self-relant.
Lydia, on the contrary, seemed to have
lost her usual aplonb and keenness. She
| realized that he was more than match for
her, and that her will must submit to his,
this time, at least.
With sigh, she awaited his remarks.
$50 the Princess Natalie is your friend:';
asked ne, boldly opening the battle.
Eyes, my dearest friend,'' she answered,
half-sadly, her large, thoughtful eyes, all
the time, quietly observing the effect Of her
words.
poor Natalushkal She lost her brother,
| recently, and has never quite recovered
from the blow. Hers is strong, affection
ate nature that, loving once, loves for
ever"
Lydia could see the CLEAN in her COM
panion's eyes as she said this.
''She is spending her summer here, but
leaves soon for Lake Maggiore, where her
family is staying. 1t was there her brother
was killed. For that reason. she greatly
dislikes the place. Her stay there is always
short She lives very quietly here and
avoids society. She came tonight, solely to
crafty the Marquis and his wife,
But said she, suddenly, observing how
eagerly he was listening, and thinking that
he had forgotten himself, eff you don't know
her, why were you so disturbed at her sud-
den appearance on the stairs!'
Fairfax was on his guard in an instant.
''Ohn' replied he, with cleverly-uttered
sigh and quite truthfully and naturally,
''only because she reminded me of a recent
little incident in my career.'
''Is that incident secret!" inquired she,
archly.
II think it scarcely worth while relating
answered ne, with faint smile.
''Weu,'' said Lydia, shrewdly dropping
the subject, Ito return to Natalie, one effect
of her brothers death upon her is that she
shuns not only society but. in every way,